Clay History Since the beginning of earth s history we find the use of clay as a natural way to treat wounds. Perhaps clay was the first natural remedy used by man to solve many of his physical problems. Even today when we look at animal habits, by observation, we can see that when they are wounded they search for muddy or dusty places to go there and recover from wounds. The elephants in Africa take a mud bath to get rid of parasites and to refresh them. The ancient Egyptians used clay to mummify the bodies and also to preserve food (animal origin). In America the natives used to bury their sick people in a hole with clay. They were left there for several hours. Hippocrates (460-377 AC) the Greek physician who is considered The Father of Medicine, taught his disciples how to use clay to treat the human body in different situations. Avicenna (980-1037), Arabic physician refers to the use of clay. Since the beginning of the Christian Age we can find references to a place called Lemnos (mod. Limnos Greek: Λήμνος), where the ancient Greek doctors went to treat their patients and they classified this dust, the dust of Lemnos, as having extraordinary healing power. Lemnian Earth a species of earth of a yellowish-gray color, found in the island of Lemnos, said to cure the bites of serpents and other wounds. It was called terra sigillata, because the priest sealed it before being vended.
Simplified geological map of Lemnos shows the site of Hephaestias. Altered volcanic rocks near Kotsinas are the most likely source of the medicinal earth. In the year AD 167, Galen traveled to Lemnos to establish on his own accord the medicinal usefulness of Lemnian Earth and returned to Rome with twenty thousand sphragides (little stamped pellets) for his own private patients. The sealed Lemnian Earth (sphragis) was an absorbent plastic clay amenable to stamping which also contained an active medicinal ingredient, probably an antibacterial and astringent alum group salt of the type used in modern pharmaceutical applications. The priestess a Hephaestus performing the ritual of sealing of the Lemnian sphragis, as observed by Galen. By R. A. Thom (after R.H.S. Robertson 1986)
Medicinal Properties of Clay The study of nature is exceedingly marvelous and rewarding, for it reveals many simple means for restoring and maintaining good health. Unfortunately people who search for complicated and expensive ones generally neglect the most beneficial and simple natural remedies. In this modern age, many are becoming familiar with the healing properties of various foods, herbs, water, fresh air, exercise, sunshine, temperance and trust in God, but as of yet, very few know about the wonders of the earth itself. Since the miracle of clay is a healing phenomenon, relatively unknown, it seems indispensable to begin with a few words about the properties of the clay and its uses. Clay s Properties It would be presumptuous to explain precisely and concretely the basic action of the clay. We cannot always penetrate nature s secrets ; we must simply use them. Not everything has a scientific explanation; there is a place for faith in this procedure. One of the greatest clay properties is the absorption power. Clay has an extraordinary absorbent power. Clay has a unique power to attract impurities and toxins from the human body, simply because clay is electro negative and the impurities and toxins are electro positive. In addition, clay provides your body with trace minerals that penetrate your skin and enter your blood stream. This occurs with the application of a poultice- externally. When clay is taken internally it is directed immediately to the places that needs to be repaired, it seems that some internal program is guiding it. We have to remember that God made man from the dust of the earth. Gen. 2:7. When clay is placed inside of the human body, clay knows exactly where to go to fix problems. Remedies provided by the Creator are simple, effective and harmless. The Creator has provided nature with solutions to recover us not to destroy. Nothing should be put into the human system that will leave a baleful influence behind Letter 59, 1898 E. G. White Clay is a living beneficial substance that provides the human body with vital energy. Clay is a part of us.
In addition to being absorbent clay is also adsorbent, which means to accumulate on the surface, the toxins are drawn to the clay and then stick to the clay to be removed from the body. The more we expose clay to the sunshine, air and rainwater, the more powerful it becomes. Clay Actions When it is used externally, clay may be applied in several different forms, such as: poultices, compresses, cataplasms, powder (sprinkled) and baths. Clay is antiseptic (prevents decay or putrefaction), cicatrizing (promotes fast healing), anti-inflammatory (relieves and prevents inflammation), anti-carcinogen (cleans cancer cells), emollient (softens and soothes the skin), refrigerant (cools and reduces body heat) and cosmetic (improves skin s texture). Taken internally clay is a powerful detoxifier, especially the Bentonite Clay, it can absorb heavy metals such as: mercury, arsenic, lead and tin. Clay also provides you with minerals and trace minerals. Clay has colloidal properties that eliminate toxins and harmful substances from your body. Choosing the Right Clay There are many varieties of clay with different colors depending on the type of soil (chemical composition). For instance we have green, white, gray, yellow, red, blue, black and pink. These are the most common on the market. Usually we recommend the French Green Clay to apply externally and also to take internally, but we also use the white clay referred to as Bentonite Clay for the heavy metals detoxifying program. Red clay seems to be very efficient for facial purifying mask, depending on the type of skin you have. You can always mix any kind of clay with herbs, juices (fruit or vegetables), extracts and olive oil to improve the performance and the action of the clay.
How to Prepare the Clay Prepare clay in a deep bowl. Use a container made of glass, porcelain or wood but never a metallic one (aluminum, copper, iron). Fill the bowl with distilled water and sprinkle the clay powder until you get a homogeneous paste, not very concentrated. Let the clay set for 2 hours. Handle it as little as possible, do not stir the clay. External Application With a wooden spoon, or your bare hand, spread an even layer of clay over the area to be treated. The thickness may vary from ¼ inch to 1 inch. Do not smooth the surface; clay settles naturally when put into place. Wrap with a light cloth bandage. When placed on an inflamed organ, abscess, or another purulent sore the clay must be cover with a cabbage/lettuce leaf to slow down its drying process. If the area to be treated is on either side of the body, like the kidneys, first the clay may be spread onto a cloth and then placed on the affected area. Let the clay work for 2 hours. After 2 hours, remove the clay with lukewarm water and repeat the application. Do at least 3 applications daily; never use the same clay twice. After the poultice is removed, discard the clay. For efficient action, it is necessary to place the clay directly onto the body. If you are treating an ulcer or an open sore, it must be placed directly on the flesh. Beauty Facial mask For a beauty facial mask apply the clay directly on the skin ¼ to 1 inch thick and put a cabbage leaf or lettuce leaf on top of the clay to keep the clay moist. Let the clay work on your face for 35 minutes. After clean the clay and wash you face with lukewarm water. You can apply a facial mask to your every day during one week. You can repeat the same every month. To increase the power of the clay you can prepare the clay with Calendula powder. Calendula contains natural collagen.
Precautions with clay Applications should only occur at least two hours before or two hours after meals. When treating an abscess or purulent ulcer, change the application every hour. However, if the application dries in a half an hour, take it off without waiting the entire hour. Avoid abdominal applications when menstruating and all applications during pregnancy. NEVER allow the clay to dry on the skin. Internal Use Put ¼ of a teaspoon of clay in a glass with 4 oz. of distilled water. Prepare the clay in the evening and let the clay set overnight. Drink the water in the morning 1 hour before breakfast. The clay will settle to the bottom of the glass, for the 1st week only drink the water that has separated from the clay. The 2nd and 3rd weeks swirl the mix in the cup and drink the water and clay together; after 21 days rest for 7 days. Repeat: Drink the clay mix for another 21 days then rest 7 days. Repeat one last time for a period of 21 days. Observations With every natural remedy either helping directly to rebuild the organism or to liberate and eliminate the substances that harm it, there is always the possibility of disagreeable reactions. You must not be afraid of these reactions; on the contrary they are desirable, for they are indications that the body is responding positively. You may notice a variance in the clay temperature while on your body. Clay s temperature is decided by the specific problem.